Beer, liquor prices would increase with deregulation

SANTA ROSA, CA - FEBRUARY 07: Freshly poured glasses of Russian River Brewing Company Pliny the Younger triple IPA beer sit on a counter at Russian River Brewing Company on February 7, 2014 in Santa Rosa, California.

Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The Beer Store launched a PR blitz Monday to educate consumers on the drawbacks of selling beer, wine and hard liquor at corner stores and gas stations by creating a website [www.ontariobeerfacts.ca] bolstered by a new study reviewed by economist Greg Flanagan.

The organization highlighted five major points in the study saying that the deregulation of Ontario’s booze market would result in higher consumer prices and less product selection.

Additional issues included:

Reduced tax revenues

Increased sales to minors

The end of a world-class, award-winning recycling system

Drinkers will pay an average of $10 more per two-four in Ontario if beer and liquor sales are deregulated, Beer Store President Ted Moroz said Monday.

Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec have all deregulated recently and currently, only Ontario maintained "low, competitive prices under the current alcohol retail and distribution system," the new website said.

Prices remained between 45% to 51% higher in B.C. and 30% to 36% higher in Alberta, the Beer Store said.

In Quebec, prices were equal on average following deregulation.

Ontario's chain convenience stores, formally known as the Ontario Convenience Stores Association, to the fight to another level, saying Ontario convenience stores and gas bars scored the highest [87.4%] when tested with underage secret shoppers.

Share this article

Peter Paul began his journalism career on September 11, 2001. He has covered a broad range of hard news events including the 9/11 aftermath, the 2003 War in Iraq, the South Asian Tsunami of 2004, and the election of America's first black US president in 2008. Most recently, Paul has covered the 100th CFL Grey Cup in Toronto as accredited media. He is reachable directly via email at newslinetoronto@outlook.com.